Corporate Blogging : A New Marketing Communication Tool for Companies

Corporate blogs are business blogs that published and used by an organization to reach its organizational goals.It is another communications and marketing channel.However, unlike a press release, advertisement in a magazine or a listing in the Yellow Pages, corporate blogs are two-way communications.Blogging evangelists often speak of a conversation taking place in marketplaces.Participating in the blogging would gives companies a competitive edge in that conversation.Corporate blogs primarily are used for national branding.They allow companies to present accurate information without the filter of the media or advertising.

Although there are many different types of corporate blogs, most can be categorized as either external or internal.




Internal Blog :
An internal blogs, generally accessed through the corporation's internet, is a weblog that any employee can view.These can be used in lieu of meetings and e-mail discussions.They are very effective when schedules or employee locations make meetings impractical.Ideas can be categorized by topic, person and date, making achieving ideas and conversations easy.

Internal blogs are frequently uses to build and strengthen organizational culture, communicate company knowledge and provide teams with an effective collaboration tool.


External Blog :
An external blog is publicly available weblog where company employees, teams or spokespersons share their views.It is often used to announce new products and services, to explain and clarify policies, or to react on public criticism on certain issues.It also allows a window to the company culture and is often treated more informally than traditional press release, though a corporate blog often tries to accomplish similar goals as press release do.

There is also a special type of external blog, the CEO Blog where the CEO communicates directly to the outside world.The most famous example would have to be the blog of Jonathan Schwartz, CEO of Sun Microsystems.

External blog is frequently uses for strengthening the brand, relationships and the marketing or selling products and services.




Below are 5 ways how a corporate blog can benefit your organization :

(i) Build rapport with customers
At this time of writing, there are more than 100 million blogs worldwide.If you publish a corporate blog, you're giving your customers a channel to interact and get to know your brand and organization in a format that they're familiar and comfortable with. You will earn extra points from them because you speak their language.


(ii) Free feedback and suggestions from key constituents
Corporate blog gives you insights to what people are saying about your products, your brand, your competitors, your marketing from the comfort of your office chair.These insights come in the forms of comments on your blog or commentary and discussions that take place on other blogs.
(iii) Increased website traffic from higher search engine rankings
Because blogs are also easy to publish, you'll find yourself adding new content to your website more frequently.Search engines favour websites with fresh content and rank your blog higher in search results, which in turn results in a greater number of referrals from search engines to your website and blog.

(iv) Position your business as a thought leader
One of the most effective marketing strategies is " show, don't tell ".You can use your corporate blog to take advantage of this strategy by demonstrating your expertise and experience in your industry through commentary, guides, analysis, etc.The quality of your blog content reflects the quality of your organization.

(v) Lead generation
Having your blog appear on the first page of Google's results gives your organization credibility in the eyes of your potential customers.Having high quality content on your blog goes further to reinforce the value your organization can provide and reduces the need to "hard sell".



Examples of corporate blog :
Jonathan' s Blog - The blog of Jonathan Schwartz, CEO of Sun Microsystems. Although John is the CEO of a USD $15billion company, his blog just like a regular guy.

The Official Google Blog - The Google blog gives you a peek into the internet giant's products, technology and culture.


Seth's Blog - Best-selling author Seth Godin's blog is another example of a blog employing a thought leadership strategy and reinforces Seth's reputation as a writer, speaker and consultant.

In summary, corporate blogs are a new, powerful marketing communications tool for any organization.Companies that develop a good corporate blogging strategy are able to capture the goodwill of their community.

Mobile Payment Systems in Malaysia: Its Potentials and Consumers' Adoption Strategies

Ever since year 2001, Malaysians have been able to experience and enjoy a much more secure and convenient way of conducting mobile commerce. TeleMoney for instance was Malaysia's first mobile payment service via multi-channel access for Internet and wireless transcations.

Neowave, on the other hand, the first Malaysian company to be awarded with WorldPayAccredited Storebuilder, was also the first to integrate Mobile Money Weblink as a Payment option on their online storefont software. Other companies in Malaysia who have joined these two companies in providing such mobile payment systems include the following Cordoda Corporation, Nanyang Online, Xchange.com.my, HP Mobile e-services Bazaar and Celcom.

These are among some of the payment systems that are used:

But what are these mobile payment systems?

Mobile payment is one of the latest alternative payment method that is making waves in Asia and Europe, including Malaysia. Basically, consumers can use their mobile phones to pay for a wide range of services and goods, instead of using cash, such as :

a) Music, videos, ringtones, online game subscription or items, wallpapers and other digital goods

b) Books, magazines, tickets and other hard goods

Among the primary models for mobile payments include:

a. Premium SMS based transactional payments

Under this model, consumers send a payment request via an SMS text message to a shortcode to purchase goods such as music, ringtones, wallpaper, mobile games or to conduct transactions such as reloading or transferring credit for prepaid lines. A premium charge is then applied to their phone bill. When the merchant involved is informed of the payment success, the paid for goods will be released.

However, these goods are most frequently digital with the merchant replying using a MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service). As a trusted delivery address has typically not been given to these goods. A MMS can also deliver barcodes which can then be scanned for confirmation of payment by a merchant which can be used as an electronic ticket for access to cinemas and events or collect hard goods. The practice of delivering barcode through MMS is still however not popular in Malaysia.

This method of payment us now beginning to be taken over by bother mobile payment systems such as mobile web payments (WAP) and Direct Mobile Billing for several reasons:

1. Poor reliability - Transactional payments can easily fail as messages get lost
2. Slow speed - Sending messages can be slow and it can take hours for a merchant to get receipt of payment. Consumers do not want to be kept waiting more than a few seconds.
3. High cost - There are many high costs associated with this method of payment. The cost of setting up shortcodes and paying for the delivery of media via MMS and the resulting customer support costs to account for the number of messages that get lost or are delayed.
4. Low payout rates - Operators also see high costs in running and supporting transactional payments which results in payout rates to the merchant being as low as 30%.
5. Low follow-on sales - Once the payment message has been sent and the goods received there is little else the consumer can do. It is difficult for them to remember where something was purchased or how to buy it again. This also makes it difficult to tell a friend.

b. Direct Mobile Billing

Consumers use this system during checkout at an e-commerce site, such as an online gaming site to make a payment. Consumers?mobile accounts are charged for the purchases after the PIN and One-Time-Password is authenticated. This is a an alternative payment method that bypasses banks and credit card companies all together, as it does not require any use of credit or debit cards or pre-registration at any online payment solution.

This method is very popular in Asia, as it provides the following benefits:

1. Security - Two-factor authentication and risk management engine prevents fraud.
2. Convenience - No pre-registration and no new mobile software is required.
3. Easy - It's just another option during a checkout process.
4. Fast - Most transactions are completed in less than 10 seconds.
5. Proven - 70% of all digital content purchased online in some parts of Asia uses Direct Mobile Billing method.
   

c. Mobile Web Payments

WAP is where consumers download and install web pages or additional applications onto their mobile phones to make payments. Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is used as the underlying technology.

These are amone the benefits of mobile web payments:

1. Follow-on sales where the mobile web payment can lead back to a store or to other goods the consumer may like. These pages have a URL and can be bookmarked making it easy to re-visit or share with friends.
2. High customer satisfaction from quick and predictable payments
3. Ease of use from a familiar set of online payment pages Consumers in Malaysia are coping with these changes well, with the help of the followings:

• Low transaction and maintenance costs.
  
• Low start-up or sign up feess.
  
• No minimum monthly transactions, No Rental Fees.
  
• No merchants account required.
  
• Transactions can be done to anyone, anywhere & anytime.
  
• Flexible methods to Request for Payment: Fixed Line IVR, SMS, WebLink, Mobile Money website.
• Good audit trail and secure ticketing

Reference links:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Payment
   
2. www.neowave.com.my/0doc/MobileMoneyPaymentSystem.pdf
   
3. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/communications/0,39044192,39001884,00.htm
   

Credit Card Debt : Causes & Prevention

Nowadays it seem that credit card are almost a necessity, rather than a luxury, which has caused many people to have a huge problem with credit card problem.A credit card is exactly what the name implies.It is a card with which you are able to use by borrowing on credit.Each time you use your credit card, you are increasing your credit card debt.

Many people now have more than 1 credit card with a balance and you may be 1 of those people.

If you are 1 of the millions of people want to get out of credit card debt, then you first need to understand what caused the credit card debt problem to begin with.

What are the causes of the credit card debt ?

1. Less Income, More Expenses
Too often we delay bringing expenses in line with a reduction in income for a best of good reasons and let the debt fill the gap.The family is forced to use their credit card for groceries, utilities, house or car loan, etc.
2. Poor Money Management
Poor Money Management is one of the best reason why so many families accumulate lots of debt. Most of the time people are not having a monthly spending plan and not keeping track of their monthly bills.It makes them unaware of where their money is going.They maybe spending hundreds of dollars unnecessarily each month and end up having to charge their necessary purchases by using credit card where it leads to credit card debt.
3. Hoping to win the lottery
Most people hope to win the lottery but the chances of that happening are 0%. They will spend tomorrow's saved money today just because they believe that they will striking a lottery after buying TOTO or Magnum 's numbers.But usually these will not happen since all of us do not the ability or super power of knowing what will happen tomorrow.
4. Big Medical Expenses
The cost of obtaining cures and medicine is increasing every year in most of the country.Nowadays, almost all the hospitals, clinics or specialist center are accept the credit cards.While you need treatment,but you do not have the cash.So what you can do? Swiping your credit card is one of the fastest ways to pay for it.
5. No Money Communication Skills
Many people find out that their spouses have racked up thousands of dollars in credit card debt and they had no idea that the accounts even existed. This is the problem due of lacking the money communication skills between the family members.Therefore, it is important to communicate with your spouse and children about finances.Family that not keep the lines of communication open and discuss financial goals and spending styles will always facing the credit card debt problem.





What are the ways to prevent credit card debt ?
1. Budget, Budget, Budget
The first thing to do when considering your debt is to make a budget.It is important to have plan for your money so that you will know exactly where all of your funds are going.A clear budget that includes all of your monthly bills, food, entertainment and miscellaneous items will prevent you from spending thoughtlessly and buying on impulse.
2. Save for the Future
Save for a rainy day by having a saving plan.This is the way to help you prevent yourself from getting into debt. You can direct a portion of your paycheck directly into your saving account.You should aim to save enough money to be able to pay your bills in the future time in case you lose your job or have an accident.
3. Pay Off Highest Interest Card First
By paying as much as possible on the highest interest card and at least the minimum monthly payment on the remaining cards, you limit your exposure to expensive interest payment that do nothing to lower your principle balance.After paying off the highest interest rate credit card, apply that payment to the card with next highest rate. Continue in this manner until all of the cards have been paid off.
4. Inquire about Debt Help
You can try to contact a debt settlement companies and see if you qualify to significantly reduce your monthly payment and total debt. Many companies offers a free, no obligation consultation to review your options like this website : http://www.eliminate-credit-card-debt-now.com/Debt_Consolidator.htm
5. Maintain Insurance Coverage
Health and home insurance are absolute musts in order to avoid bankruptcy.Unexpected medical bills, flood damage and fire damage can lead to ruin if you aren't properly covered.



As a conclusion, by knowing the causes of credit card debt and the ways to cope with the burden of paying back the debt, people can get on the path towards a debt free life ! For help in creating a plan to get rid of debt, go to www.rapidlyreducedebt.com.